BERLIN — An attack with red liquid targeted Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on Thursday as he exited a government building in the German capital.
The incident took place after Pahlavi concluded a media briefing where he had spoken against a ceasefire agreement between America and Iran. The attack happened outside Germany’s federal press conference facility.
Following the incident, Pahlavi acknowledged his supporters with a wave before entering a vehicle that departed the scene. Authorities immediately apprehended the suspected attacker.
The 65-year-old prince is the offspring of Iran’s deposed monarch, whose rule sparked such widespread opposition that massive street demonstrations in 1979 forced his removal from power. Despite this history, Pahlavi seeks to establish himself as a potential leader for Iran’s future, although his domestic support remains uncertain after nearly five decades in exile.
During his Berlin visit, Pahlavi received no invitations to meet with German officials. On Thursday, he contended that the ceasefire deal wrongly assumes Iran’s government will modify its conduct and “you’re going to deal with people who all of a sudden have become pragmatists.”
“I don’t see that happening,” he said. “I’m not saying that diplomacy should not be given a chance, but I think diplomacy has been given enough chance.”
The prince actively seeks a return to leadership should Iran’s current Shiite religious government collapse and has endorsed U.S.-Israeli military actions across the Middle East.
During his Berlin appearance, Pahlavi urged European nations to increase their assistance to Iranians advocating for democratic reform. He stated that Iranian officials executed 19 political prisoners over the previous two weeks while sentencing an additional 20 individuals to death.
“Will the free world do something, or watch the slaughter in silence?” Pahlavi said.
